The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 603

 

Roman clutched his forehead and burst into mad laughter. His aura infused with his emotion, causing massive waves to ripple across the river.

“What’s so funny?” Raon frowned at the booming laughter of Roman.

‘Could he have gotten stronger?’

Roman’s presence felt heavier than when they had met at the Label River two years ago. It seemed that he had ascended to a higher level.

“My heart, which had been still, has started beating again. How could I not laugh?” Roman lifted the axe he had dipped in the river and rested it on his shoulder.

“Only you two can stir my excitement.” He smirked at Raon and Rimmer.

“Prepare yourself.” Roman caressed the handle of his axe as if signaling the start of their three-move duel.

“I’ll judge your skill in just three moves.”

“Three moves, huh?”

Raon bit his lip as he looked into Roman’s eyes, which were gleaming with madness.

‘He’s definitely going to attack after the three moves.’

Roman was the type to break promises easily, as evidenced by his willingness to discard the title of “King of the River.” It was likely he would attack with full force once the three-move duel was over.

‘I should save the Sword Manifestation.’

Raon decided to endure the three-move duel in his current state and then use the Sword Manifestation in the real battle that would follow. This seemed the best way to survive.

Raon synchronized the ring of fire circling his heart. Entering a state of hyperfocus, he maximized the energy of Mana Circulation and Glacia.

Rumble!

The waves driven by Roman’s aura seemed to freeze and then shatter. It meant that his own aura was not being overwhelmed by the liar’s pressure.

“A three-move duel.” Raon steadied his pounding heart and stood before Roman.

“Let’s begin.”

Rimmer bit his lip as he watched Raon face off against Roman.

‘This is worse than before.’

Considering Roman’s behavior so far, it was clear he wouldn’t back down even after the three-move duel. He would likely attack again.

‘But there’s still a chance.’

Fortunately, Roman hadn’t brought many subordinates. If they could kill him, they could escape this place without too much trouble.

Rimmer clicked his tongue and approached Siyan.

“Brother…”

Siyan trembled with her hands clasped in front of her chest, worried about Raon. Even she, who trusted Raon unconditionally, seemed intimidated by Roman’s overwhelming aura.

“Prepare to fight.”

“Are you saying Raon will lose…?”

“No.” Rimmer shook his head and glared at Roman.

“That guy lies as easily as he breathes. Even if Raon withstands the three-move duel, he’ll still attack. That’s when you and I will step in.”

“Ah…” Siyan nodded, understanding now.

“Can you summon the highest-level spirit?”

“Yes, I’ll call it right away.”

With a snap of her fingers, the giant water guardian floating above them sank, and a cute, bird-like spirit made of water droplets spread its small wings.

Despite its adorable appearance, the spirit perched on Siyan’s shoulder contained immense mana.

Rimmer felt the enormous energy emanating from the spirit and nodded.

‘This might work.’

Although it hadn’t been long since she contracted the spirit, it was a high-level spirit. It would be a great help in the battle against Roman.

Hoo…

Rimmer exhaled deeply as he placed his hand on his sword hilt.

‘It’s frustrating that all I can do is watch.’

Roman seemed stronger than before, and the one standing before him was Raon, his disciple and subordinate.

His own powerlessness hit him harder now than when he had been injured and unable to fight. The pain in his heart was worse than the injury to his core.

‘If we survive this…’

I’ll get a prosthetic arm.

He had considered it when Sterin suggested it, but now he was certain. If he survived and returned to Zieghart, he would beg Encia to attach a prosthetic arm.

‘So please, hold on.’

Rimmer swallowed dryly as he watched Raon’s broad back.

‘Endure this.’

—

“I heard you can use the Sword Manifestation…”

Roman tilted his chin while holding the axe with one hand.

“Aren’t you going to use it?”

“I’ll use it when necessary, so don’t worry.” Raon met Roman’s gleaming eyes and shook his head.

“Arrogant.”

Roman smirked, seemingly more pleased with Raon’s confidence than annoyed.

Rumble!

He raised his axe to the sky. The enormous aura infused the crimson blade, emitting a thundering roar.

“One strike!”

With a thunderous shout, Roman’s axe descended. The aura blazing on the blade shimmered with a chilling blood-red light.

Rumble!

Raon gritted his teeth as he watched the lightning-fast descent of Roman’s axe.

‘What the…!’

Even before the axe fully descended, the pressure was immense, making his shoulders feel like they were being torn apart.

‘I can’t be overwhelmed by his strength.’

Roman, the King of the River, was a master who couldn’t be beaten in terms of strength and aura.

If he fell into a defensive position from the first strike, he wouldn’t be able to continue the three-move duel. He had to put all his strength into blocking this attack.

Boom!

Raon stepped forward with his left foot and raised the Heavenly Drive, which had been tilted downward. He poured all his mental energy into the sword, reinforcing it with an unbreakable will, and slashed at the crimson axe.

Bang!

The clash of sword and axe produced an earth-shattering roar. The river seemed to reverse its flow, and black cracks appeared on the gravel shore.

Crack!

Raon bit his lip as he faced the increasing pressure of Roman’s axe.

‘Was it always this heavy?’

Roman’s axe felt much heavier than it had two years ago. It was hard to even breathe properly.

‘I need to push back quickly.’

If he hesitated, the blade of the Heavenly Drive would break. Raon infused the sword with the power of the Sword Manifestation and Glacia’s extreme cold, cutting through the energy in the axe bit by bit.

Boom!

A dark gray light exploded from between the axe blade and the sword, forcing Raon to take five steps back.

However, Roman didn’t step back at all, smiling as if he was satisfied.

“Not bad.”

Roman nodded approvingly and lowered his axe. The move called “Evil Emperor’s Strike” seemed to split the sky.

Raon frowned as he watched Roman’s axe glow with an increasingly dark light.

‘I can’t endure this in my current state.’

Although he had hoped to save the Sword Manifestation, it was impossible to withstand this attack without using it.

Raon held the Heavenly Drive and the Soul Requiem Sword in reverse grips and opened the realm of his mental world.

Sword Manifestation: Divine-Demonic Harmony Slash.

As the Sword Manifestation opened, the turbulent river calmed, and the sky, which had darkened, brightened with the golden sun and silver moon.

In the serene world where only he existed, Raon raised the gleaming divine and demonic swords.

“The Sword Manifestation, huh. Smart choice.”

Roman chuckled and raised his axe.

“If you hadn’t used it, your head would’ve been split open.”

He smirked, implying he had held back his first strike.

“Then this is the second move, the Evil Emperor’s Blast.”

The black sphere that formed on the lowered axe blade was smaller than the first attack’s aura but contained even greater power, radiating a chilling aura.

Boom!

Roman stomped his tree-trunk-like leg and swung the axe upward. The crimson blade seemed to tear the sky with its killing intent.

‘This is a battle of wills.’

Raon gathered all the energy from his mana circuits into his hands. The combined energy surged into the swords, enveloping them in flames and frost. He infused his unwavering determination into the blades.

Blue Heaven Sword Art, Second Form: Celestial Flame Slash.

**TL note : At this point I can no longer follow the names of each moves Raon has. So I’m just using whatever is translated at the moment. Sorry for that!!!**

Raon’s two swords, glowing with radiance, descended upon the crimson blade that seemed to split the sky.

Bang!

The collision of their auras created a terrifying storm. It seemed as if the god of the river was enraged, causing the river to burst and the riverbed to be exposed.

Sizzle!

Following the clash of auras came the battle of wills.

Roman’s intent to destroy everything clashed with Raon’s unyielding will, creating a fierce struggle.

Boom!

The combined energy exploded, creating a destructive light that erased everything it touched as if it had never existed.

A massive explosion split the Peren River, scattering water everywhere. The river itself seemed to collapse.

“Huff…”

Raon stood on the riverbed, breathing heavily. The pain in his hands gripping the divine and demonic swords was so intense it felt like his head would split open.

‘But I endured it.’

Roman’s onslaught was much heavier than expected. It was so powerful and destructive that he wanted to commend himself for enduring it.

But there was no time to rest. He could still sense Roman’s presence within the white steam and smoke.

‘Now the real fight begins.’

With Roman’s character, it was certain he would attack again, claiming he was excited. The battle was truly beginning now.

As Raon regulated his breathing and prepared for battle, a wind blew, dispersing the steam and smoke.

Roman stood two steps back from his original position, smiling at Raon.

Whoosh!

As expected, he raised his axe. Raon held his breath and prepared to defend himself, but Roman did not aim the axe at him. Instead, he lowered it.

‘Huh?’

Just as Raon found it strange, a powerful presence surged from behind him. It was Rimmer and Siyan.

While Raon and Roman were fighting, the two had gathered their energy and now unleashed a fierce sword strike and spirit magic towards Roman.

“Tsk.”

Roman frowned and raised his axe, blocking Rimmer’s sword strike and Siyan’s spirit magic with a rough swing.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s obvious you would attack again after the three moves, so we struck first,” Rimmer shrugged. Siyan bit her lip beside him.

“Nonsense.”

Roman snorted, resting his axe on his shoulder.

“The three-move duel is over.”

He shook his head as if he had no intention of fighting further.

“It was a satisfying duel. If we were to fight to the death now, it would be quite entertaining. However…”

Roman glanced at the divine and demonic swords burning in Raon’s hands and smirked.

“You’re not at the level I hoped for yet. If you face me in your current state next year, you’ll die.”

He deactivated his aura, indicating he truly had no intention of continuing the fight.

Raon narrowed his eyes at Roman’s subdued gaze.

‘What is he thinking?’

Raon had assumed Roman would fight to the bitter end, especially after all his boasting about his title. However, Roman easily lowered his axe.

‘Could he really be… warning me?’

Was he telling me that if we met on January 1st next year, I would die?

Roman had only tested Raon’s strength and hadn’t truly tried to kill him. His final words, claiming Raon would die if they fought next year, seemed more like a warning.

“Were you trying to warn me?” Raon asked.

“Fishermen have a practice called catch and release.”

“…”

“They let the small fish grow bigger before catching them again. But it only happens twice.”

He chuckled, caressing his axe.

“I’ve said my piece, so I’ll be going now.”

“Wait.”

Raon called out, taking a step forward as Roman turned his back.

“I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Rektor.”

Raon frowned, looking at the spot where the market had been.

“Why was he ruined?”

“…So he’s dead.”

Roman followed Raon’s gaze and shook his head, his expression tinged with bitterness for the first time.

“He was consumed by his talent.”

“What?”

“Rektor had talent enough to be called a genius, though not to your level. But during the Battle of the Mountain, he was defeated by a talent more monstrous than his and was devoured.”

“By someone named Beorn?”

“You even know that name?”

Roman chuckled and nodded.

“Beorn was Rektor’s subordinate. He hid many things. You’d do well to be cautious. Though that only matters if you’re still alive next year.”

Roman left that warning and fully turned away.

“Hey.”

As Raon frowned, Rimmer approached and called out to Roman.

“No matter the situation, you did give up your title, right?”

“That’s right.”

Roman nodded, not showing any regret.

“Then I’ll give you a new title.”

Rimmer smirked, lifting his chin.

“From now on, you’re ‘Bullshitter,’ since you wield an axe and lie through your teeth.”

The serious atmosphere was deflated in an instant.

“…”

Even Roman, who claimed he had no regrets, had a deep furrow on his brow.

-Oh dear…

Wrath shook his head as he looked at Rimmer.

-He’s truly a madman.